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Eurosceptic MEP group collapses Eurosceptic MEP group collapses
(35 minutes later)
One of the main Eurosceptic groups in the European Parliament, which includes Britain's UKIP, has collapsed after a Latvian MEP withdrew. One of the main Eurosceptic groups in the European Parliament (EP), which includes Britain's UKIP, has collapsed after a Latvian MEP withdrew.
The Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group had 48 members including the Five Star Movement of Italian politician Beppe Grillo.The Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group had 48 members including the Five Star Movement of Italian politician Beppe Grillo.
MEP Iveta Grigule's exit meant it no longer qualified as a group because it featured fewer than seven countries. The EFDD accused EP President Martin Schulz of engineering Latvian MEP Iveta Grigule's exit.
There was no immediate comment from Mr Schulz on the allegation.
Group status means extra funds, seats on committees and more speaking time.Group status means extra funds, seats on committees and more speaking time.
News of the EFDD's fall was welcomed by the largest group in the parliament, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), which tweeted: "First defeat for Eurosceptics! EFDD group disappears with departure of Latvian Iveta Grigule." To qualify as a group, parties must represent at least seven countries and Ms Grigule's departure reduced the EFDD to six.
'Massive blow'
Soon after the news broke, the EFDD website was still showing Ms Grigule as a member of the group.Soon after the news broke, the EFDD website was still showing Ms Grigule as a member of the group.
It was not immediately clear why the Latvian Farmers' Union MEP had left. It was not immediately clear why the Latvian Farmers' Union MEP had left. She has applied to Mr Schulz to become an independent MEP.
UKIP's 24 members made up half of the group, followed by Five Star which had 17 MEPs. Other members included the Sweden Democrats, one French independent, and MEPs from the Czech Republic and Lithuania. UKIP's 24 members made up half of the EFDD group, followed by Five Star which had 17 MEPs. Other members included the Sweden Democrats, one French independent, and MEPs from the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
News of the EFDD's fall was welcomed by the largest group in the parliament, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), which tweeted: "First defeat for Eurosceptics! EFDD group disappears with departure of Latvian Iveta Grigule."
The leader of the UK Labour Party at the European Parliament, Glenis Willmott MEP, said Nigel Farage had suffered a "massive blow".
Mr Farage has predicted UKIP could hold the balance of power in the UK following the general election next year after his party gained its first elected MP last month and narrowly failed to take a seat from Labour at a by-election.